By Anna Italia
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Italian Soccer Serie A Supports 100% the Italian National Football Team
70% Ball Possession SPAIN and 30% Ball Possession ITALY
SPAIN 1 – 0 ITALY 
63′ Pedro
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Italy failing the test to defeat Spain the current World Cup Champions. Spain claiming the victory thanks to the goal by forward Pedro in the 63rd minute. Italy Head Coach Cesare Prandelli defining the players that will be at the World Cup. Surely, Spain
have one of the best squads in the World and are favorite to win it, but Italy also are favorite and we can win the World Cup too. It’s a crucial game and last chance for players to show their potential because the list to the FIFA will be submitted on 25 May.
Come on Italy!!!!
FIFA World Cup Ranking
Spain, 1st position with 1,506 points
Italy, 8th position with 1,135 points
Everything is ready… players warming up….
There is famous Spain fan “Manolo” with his drum kissing the pitch before the match. Guys, in this game, Goalkeeper Iker Casillas making 151 appearances and Italy goalkeeper Gigi Buffon 138 appearances both Captain of their teams. Grande Buffon!
Let’s go Italy, Forza!!!! You bet I am rooting for Italy, are you? I hope so!
Let’s Roll the ball….Referee Aranovskiy whistles the start of the game, showtime!
Mamma mia, hello, Spain already sending a clear message to the Azzurri in the 2nd minute with midfielder Andres Iniesta passing to defender Jordi forcing goalkeeper Gigi Buffon to concede a corner.
Great, Italy reacting too and in the 4th minute there is the shot by forward Alessio Cerci right footed shot hitting the post!!!!! So close!
In the 6th minute, a save for Italy after Pedro attempted a right footed shot with assist by Francesc Fabregas.
It’s a great beginning with both teams pressuring and looking for the goal.
Oh gosh, guys, in the 18th minute, Cerci is caught offside!!! The pass with a through ball by defender Gabriel Paletta
In the 22nd minute, danger! An assist by Pedro to Iniesta challenging Buffon with a right footed shot saving in the bottom right corner.
Italy having problems to control the ball allowing Spain to keep ball possession…..
In the 27th minute, Cerci with a shot is cleared by Spain!
No way!!!!! guys, in the 28th minute, a clear chance for goal is by forward Pablo Osvaldo missing the target not by much to the left. Osvaldo cannot believe his luck!!! I am getting nervous by now… come on Italy!!!!!!
In the 34th minute, Spain forward Diego Costa is caught offside after getting a through ball by defender Javi Martinez….
In the 43rd minute, Italy midfielder Christian Maggio conceding a corner…. uffa!
Referee Aranovskiy giving the first yellow card of the match in the 43rd minute to Italy defender Domenico Criscito.
First half ending 72% ball possession Spain and 28% ball possession Italy
Second half starting with substitution in both teams.
45th minute, Spain replacing goalkeeper Iker Casillas by goalkeeper Victor Valdes,
Midfielder David Silva replacing Cesc Fabregas
Midfielder Xavi Alonso replacing midfielder Xabi Alonso
45th minute, Italy replacing defender Christian Maggio by defender Ignazio Abate,
Midfielder Andrea Pirlo replacing forward Antonio Candreva
In the 49th minute great save by goalkeeper Buffon anticipating Thiago Alcantara to clear the shot by conceding a corner. Great for Buffon saving Italy!
In the 52nd minute, Spain closer to the goal with Silva..luckily his left footed shot failing the target …
In the 53rd minute great assist by Pirlo to Osvaldo, though final action cleared by Spain……
In the 55th minute, goalkeeper Valdes saving the left footed shot by Alessio Cerci coming from the right…..
Italy making a substitution in the 62nd minute, midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini replacing midfielder Thiago Motta.
NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Spain scoring in the 63rd minute!!! I am just fainting! The action started by Iniesta passing to Silva freeing himself from Italy defenders and then you see the number 11 forward Pedro defeating goalkeeper Buffon witha left footed shot!!! Immediately, Pedro opening his arms to run and celebrate while I am just on my knee praying for Italy to make a comeback. Forza.
Spain making two substitutions in the 66th minute.
Defender Raul Albiol replacing Sergio Ramos.
Midfielder Jesus Navas replacing midfielder Andres Iniesta
In the 68th minute, an assist by Jesus Navas to Diego Costa seeing his right footed shot blocked.
Italy replacing forward Alessio Cerci in the 69th minute with forward Ciro Immobile
Referee giving a yellow card to Italy forward Mattia Destro in the 75th minute for a foul on Spain midfielder Jesus Navas.
In the 76th minute, midfielder Riccardo Montolivo giving the assist with a through ball to forwad Ciro Immobile who is caught offside… oh come on Italy… we are running out of time!!!
Spain replacing forward Pedro in the 82nd minute with midfielder Santi Cazorla. Pedro leaving the pitch among the applause by the fans while thanking them back.
In the 87th minute, an assist by Immobile to Montolivo for a right footed shot being blocked…..
Time running by… come on Italy…
Three minutes added time.
In the 92nd minute, Buffon saving the right footed shot by Jesus Navas…..
That’s it guys, Referee Aranovskiy whistles the end of the game… Spain defeating Italy. Well, now, time to go back and improve to be ready for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, forza ragazzi!
Game ending 70% ball possession Spain and 30% ball possession ITALY
Here is SPAIN official starting lineup by Head Coach Del Bosque:
SPAIN (4-3-3): 1 Casillas, 5 Juanfran, 2 Albiol, 15
Sergio Ramos, 18 Jordi Alba, 14 Xabi Alonso, 8 Xavi, 16 Busquets, 6
Iniesta, 9 Diego Costa, 21 Silva
Here is ITALY official starting lineup by Head Coach Cesare Prandelli:
ITALY (4-3-2-1): 1 Buffon, 2 Maggio, 14 Paletta, 15
Barzagli, 4 Criscito, 18 Montolivo, 5 Thiago Motta, 8 Marchisio, 25
Cerci, 6 Candreva, 10 Osvaldo
Italy is without forward Mario Balotelli absent for a shoulder injury. Chance now for Torino forward Ciro Immobile who is living a great moment scoring 13 goals in Serie A. Also, missing today is AS Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi, a key player for the Italian tean. De Rossi was not called up by Prandelli after throwing a punch to Mauro Icardi during the Saturday 1 March game against Inter ending with a goalless draw. De Rossi got a 3 ban suspension by the Sporting Authorities.
Photo figc.it
Spain – Italy direct matches
Last Match: 27 June 2013, Spain 2 – 2 Italy (Confederations Cup 2013)
Spain victories: 9
Lost Italy: 10
Draws: 12
FIFA /Coca-Cola World Ranking
Next Ranking release will be on 13 March 2014
| Rnk | Team | Pts | +/- Pos | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spain | 1506 | 0 |  |
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| 2 | Germany | 1314 | 0 | |
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| 3 | Argentina | 1255 | 0 | |
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| 4 | Portugal | 1219 | 1 |  |
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| 5 | Colombia | 1211 | -1 |  |
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| 6 | Switzerland | 1159 | 2 | |
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| 7 | Uruguay | 1157 | -1 | |
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| 8 | Italy | 1135 | -1 | |
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Source: fifa.com
Italy National Team Last 5 Games
| Tue | 10/09/13 | WQE | Italy |
2 – 1 |
Czech Republic |
| Fri | 11/10/13 | WQE | Denmark |
2 – 2 |
Italy |
| Tue | 15/10/13 | WQE | Italy |
2 – 2 |
Armenia |
| Fri | 15/11/13 | FRI | Italy |
1 – 1 |
Germany |
| Mon | 18/11/13 | FRI | Italy |
2 – 2 |
Nigeria |
Spain National Team Last 5 Games
| Tue | 10/09/13 | FRI | Spain |
2 – 2 |
Chile |
| Fri | 11/10/13 | WQE | Spain |
2 – 1 |
Belarus |
| Tue | 15/10/13 | WQE | Spain |
2 – 0 |
Georgia |
| Sat | 16/11/13 | FRI | Equatorial Guinea |
1 – 2 |
Spain |
| Tue | 19/11/13 | FRI | South Africa |
1 – 0 |
Spain |
Photo figc.it
Photo figc.it
Italy Head Coach Cesare Prandelli
Click the video to watch the highlights of the game, SPAIN vs ITALY, Wednesday 5 March 2014, Estadio Vicente Calderon, Madrid, Spain
International Friendly Game
Spain 1 – 0 Italy
Wednesday 5 March 2014
Estadio Vicente Calderon
Madrid, Spain
22:00
Referee: Aranovskiy (Ucr).
Assistants:
Fourth Official:
Attendance:
Goals: 63′ Pedro (S)
Official formations – lineups:
SPAIN (4-3-3): 1 Casillas, 5 Juanfran, 2 Albiol, 15
Sergio Ramos, 18 Jordi Alba, 14 Xabi Alonso, 8 Xavi, 16 Busquets, 6
Iniesta, 9 Diego Costa, 21 Silva
Subs: (12 Victor Valdes, 4 Javier Martinez, 3
Azpilicueta, 3 Koke, 7 Thiago Alcantara, 22 Navas, 20 Cazorla, 10
Fabregas, 11 Negredo, 19 Rodriguez 23 Reina).
Coach: Del Bosque.
ITALY (4-3-2-1): 1 Buffon, 2 Maggio, 14 Paletta, 15
Barzagli, 4 Criscito, 18 Montolivo, 5 Thiago Motta, 8 Marchisio, 25
Cerci, 6 Candreva, 10 Osvaldo
Subs: (12 Sirigu, 13 Astori, 3 Chiellini, 20 De
Sciglio, 7 Abate, 19 Bonucci, 23 Giaccherini, 21 Pirlo, 16 Parolo, 21
Verratti, 9 Immobile, 11 Gilardino, 17 Insigne, 22 Destro, 26 Perin).
Coach: Cesare Prandelli
| International Friendly Spain 1 – 0 Italy Wednesday 5 March 2014 Estadio Vicente Calderon Madrid, Spain 22:00 Referee: Aranovskiy (Ucr). |
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| Spain | Match Stats |
Italy |
| 1 | Goals | 0 |
| 21 (5) | Shots (on goal) | 3 (1) |
| 11 | Fouls | 11 |
| 12 | Corner kicks | 6 |
| 1 | Offsides | 2 |
| 70% | Ball Possession | 30% |
| 0 | Yellow Cards | 2 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 0 | Saves | 8 |
What do you think of the results? Which players surprised you or disappointed you and why?